Livingstone wins battle of century-making skippers in England victory

NORTH SOUND, Antigua and Barbuda: Captain Liam Livingstone cracked a maiden one-day international hundred to lead England to a five-wicket victory against the West Indies on Saturday.

Livingstone´s blistering innings outshone a century earlier in the day scored by opposition skipper Shai Hope.

Chasing 329 to win, the England captain made his hundred off 77 balls with four fours and six sixes.

He ended the innings undefeated on 124 having added another boundary and three more sixes to his total as England claimed victory with 15 balls to spare.

From 160-4, Livingstone and Sam Curran put on a match-winning partnership of 140 for the fifth wicket. Curran made a run-a-ball 52 while opener Phil Salt (59) and Jacob Bethell (55) also celebrated half centuries.

“At the end of the summer I felt I was getting back to my best, maturing a little and knowing my game,” said Livingstone who is captaining the team in place of the injured Jos Buttler.

“I´m enjoying my cricket and if I´m enjoying my cricket, I usually play well. Sammy played beautifully.”

He added: “We were sloppy in the field but our bowlers did well and took wickets throughout. We have got a lot of young guys learning the ropes in international cricket, this will do them a world of good.”